Call to pvt institutions on Nuclear Engineering in curriculum

Chennai, Apr 26 (UNI) Private institutions should take a lead in introducing Nuclear Engineering as part of curriculum, AICTE Member-Secretary K Narayana Rao said today.

Delivering the eighth Graduation Day address at the Easwari Engineering College here, part of the SRM Group of Institutions, he said once the Indo-US nuke deal became a reality there would be shortage of nuclear engineers in the country for producing and maintaining nuclear reactors.

''Private institutions like SRM should take a lead to ensure that there are enough nuclear engineers to meet the growing needs,'' he added.

Observing that 85 per cent of the technical institutions in the country were with the private sector, Mr Rao said only the balance 15 per cent was with the government, for which enormous amount had been spent.

''The day is not far off when all the 100 per cent technical institutions will be with the private sector,'' he said and added that India still had to go a long way to attain world class in education.

He said on the contrary 15 per cent of the polytechnics, were with the private sector and the balance 85 per cent with the government. ''This is one of the precise reasons why we lack in skilled manpower for Small Industries, automotive and other industries.'' In this context, he said private institutions should play a vital and major role in developing skilled manpower.

Mr Rao also said more funds should be infused for development of ITIs in the country.

In his Presidential Address, SRM Group of Institutions Chairman T R Pachamuthu spoke about the importance of Alumnis playing a major role in shaping up the upcoming students on how to perform during counselling.

He also announced that the SRM management would fund the students in taking up higher education or notching up business ventures.

At the Graduation day, a total of 481 students -- 105 PGs and 376 Graduates received degrees. Nineteen rank holders in the Anna University were given medals and cash awards.